Turtle Dove

We are now well into Spring with plenty of lambs running around but the weather is not that good. Over the past three days we have had thick fog and force 6-7 winds as well as rain.

Monday was the first day out for a while so i decided to go to Quendale to see what was about. It was still windy but at least there seem to be some migrants around. Crossing the bridge to the mill a Common Sandpiper flew onto the burn. Not a common bird in Shetland with only a few breeding pairs mainly over in the west and north

Pied and White Wagtails could be seen feeding along the burn. Around the small area of shrubs Pied Flycatcher (f) Chiffchaff (3) Whitethroat, Robin and a few house Sparrow. Further Chiffchaff up the burn and then at the dam Swallow (4) Lesser Whitethroat and several Twite.

Ravens have come in for a lot of criticism over the last few weeks as the have killed some lambs, pecking out their eyes and tongue. Quendale holds a large number of Ravens so the lambs tend to be kept near the farm buildings.

A large flock of Oystercatcher feeding in a ploughed field had been joined by Gt BB and herring Gulls.

At Brake 20+ Ravens could be seen feeding around the Cattle shed with several feral pigeons. Just as i arrived back at the junction near the bus stop a Turtle Dove flew up from the road , landing briefly on one of the farm building and then taking flight over the other buildings and disappearing.

 I headed back up the valley but it couldn't be found. This is the first Turtle Dove i have seen since in Shetland since the Helendale bird several years ago

Today after another foggy night i found an Iceland gull at East Voe Scalloway on the way into work

Don't forget to check out my other blogs

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlanddream.blogspot.co.uk

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